Antigua Demands Billions from U.S.

The Caribbean nations of Antigua and Barbuda are taking no prisoners when it comes to their treatment of the United States. After U.S. officials failed to comply with a World Trade Organization ruling that found their Internet gambling restrictions illegal, the tiny nations are demanding that America be fined more than $3.4 billion dollars per year. This compensation would come by withdrawing intellectual property protection for U.S. trademarks, patents and industrial designs.

OTHER COUNTRIES GET IN ON THE ACTION

Japan and India also joined in the fun, adding extra pressure by filing compensation requests as a result of Washington’s attempt to alter the details of their obligations under the 1994 General Agreement on Trade in Services. After Antigua raised such a stink, the U.S. simply removed the section on Internet gambling from their part of the agreement.

The European Union also filed a request similar to that of Japan and India earlier in the week. They stated that they wish to see the U.S. open up other trade sectors in order to compensate for deleting part of the treaty.

SO WHAT’S THEIR BEEF?

Antigua maintains that online gambling in their country provided income for hundreds of citizens and reduced their reliance on a weakened tourism industry before the U.S. introduced their ban. When the Republican party had the bright idea to stop U.S. banks and credit card companies from processing payments to online gambling business outside the country - thus eliminating half of the online gamblers in the world - Antigua and many other countries felt a major impact on their national economy.

THE WTO WEIGHS IN

In December, the WTO ruled that the law unfairly focused on offshore casinos, while American remote horse betting was unaffected. No doubt, anyone with any sense smelled the payoffs and corruption from a mile away. The WTO was happy to permit Washington’s new policy if it would only be applied fairly. This has yet to happen.

And don’t hold your breath, Antigua.

For more articles on gambling and politics, check out the following:

Online Casino Law Summary

Hearings on IGREA Bill

Antigua Demands Billions from U.S.